In a rare occurrence, we have witnessed a win-win for both teams in the Chicago Bears-Jacksonville Jaguars game this past Sunday. Although they may have lost, the Jaguars have officially clinched the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and control their destiny in pursuit of coveted Clemson Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. For the Bears, their win bumps them into possession of the final Wild Card spot in the NFC Playoff Picture.
Somehow, the Bears have been revived from their six-game losing streak and won their past three games. Now, they are in a position to reach the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. However, there is still one week left of the regular season, and the Bears do have a significant obstacle in front of them: the Green Bay Packers.
That is right: we are hosting the Packers at Soldier Field on Week 17, 3:25 CT on FOX, with enormous playoff implications. Hmmm, where have I seen this one before?
Damn You , Chris Conte! (Credit: Me)
In this article, I will discuss the Bears blowout win over the Jaguars while previewing this week's pivotal matchup against our biggest rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
If you haven't already, please feel free to check out my introduction article, I had a blast putting it together. You will get to know more about me, my background, and my plans for this website here:
An Unexpected First-Half Scare From The Bears
What was the one simple thing that I preached towards the Bears in my last article? Keep doing what you were doing that has made you successful in the past few winning weeks. Run the ball all over the opponents with a rush attack led by Running Back David Montgomery and force-feed Wide Receiver Allen Robinson. Did the team follow that? Not exactly.
The start of the game was not exactly pretty. The Bears were not running the ball as much expected, and the passing attack performed below expectations. At first, the defense under-performed, having little-to-no pressure on Jaguars Quarterback Mike Glennon and had him find holes inside our secondary. On our end, Quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw one of the worst interceptions I have ever seen on his end right before the half.
Especially when considering that we were facing the (record-wise) the worst team in the league, the Bears were not playing as well as we expected, and it had me starting to worry. Thankfully, things would change in the following half.
Then...Demolition
The Bears began the second half with the ball and drove their way down the field towards a Trubisky rushing touchdown. That would only be the beginning of a 21-point third quarter, as the Bears also scored on a David Montgomery rushing touchdown and a second Jimmy Graham touchdown. Then, undrafted rookie Running Back Artavis Pierce would join the fun and score his first career touchdown. Thankfully, the Bears turned to Montgomery more often, as he finished with 23 carries. Robinson also found revenge against his former team with ten receptions and 103 yards. Both players were able to top 1,000 yards on the season, as it has been the first time the Bears had 1,000+ yard rushers and receivers in the same season since 2014 (Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery).
On the other side of the ball, Linebacker Roquan Smith further proved that he was a Pro-Bowl snub, as he led the team with eight tackles, two passes defended and had the team's only two interceptions. They were finally able to slow down the Jaguars offense and only allowed one touchdown in garbage time to rookie Wide Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. The lack of pass rush was evident and a disappointment, as Linebacker Danny Trevethan was the only one with a sack in the whole game. Is it credit to the Jaguars Offensive Line? Is it the surprising ineffectiveness of the Bears' Defensive Line? Is it Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano displaying resistance to consistently blitz? I would pick the ladder, but it could be a mix of all the above.
Roquan Smith Picking Off Mike Glennon Right Before The End Of The First Half
(Credit: Chicago Sun-Times)
The competition level might have been weak yet again, but putting up 41 points is never an easy task for anyone. Not only that, but the Bears scored 30+ points for the fourth-straight week, which is merely remarkable. Simply put, it was a game where the Bears were expected to take control over the league's worst team, and it lived up to those expectations. It was a much rockier start that many of us could have imagined, but (as we all know) it is not how you start, but how you finish, and the Bears finished with a 41-17 score in their favor.
State Of The Opponent: Green Bay Packers
Gosh, It sure must be nice being the top seed of your conference, huh?
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Packers boast a 12-3 record and hold a one-game lead over the New Orleans Saints for the top of the NFC. Head Coach Matt LaFleur and his squad are riding on a five-game winning streak that started with a 41-25 steamroll over the Bears in Week 12.
This past weekend, they hosted the 10-4 Tennessee Titans on a primetime, Sunday Night Football matchup. Lambeau Field, aka "the Frozen Tundra," lived up to its expectations as it was a cold, snowy wonderland of a setting in Wisconsin. Of course, the Packers are far used to this, and they were able to wipe the floor with the reigning AFC South champs and beat the Titans, 40-14. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns; three went to Wide Receiver Davante Adams, rookie Running Back A.J. Dillon, not Aaron Jones (despite racking up 94 rushing yards), stole the show with 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns. However, in my opinion, the Packers' defense was their most valuable asset in the game, as they slowed down a top-five offense and allowed only 14 points. In particular, they were able to limit the damage that Running Back Derrick Henry typically brings and allowed only 98 yards on 23 carries.
While they may be in the league's bottom in terms of Special Teams, the offense and defense have been co-existing and clicking at the same time. Considering all of the circumstances that faced Aaron Rodgers heading into the season (such as the Jordan Love speculation and merely zero Wide Receiver help added in the offseason), Aaron Rodgers has fought through so much and has my vote for MVP this year because of it. I hate the man, but damnit I cannot help but be admired for what he has done this year; he deserves all the credit in the world. Life is good for Rodgers and the Packers, but life down the road will not be as easy after some unfortunate news from practice this week.
Bakhtiari Out For The Season
Aaron Rodgers' guardian angel and blindside protector, Left Tackle David Bakhtiari, is feared to have suddenly torn his ACL in practice yesterday. Not only is there no question that he is the anchor of one of the best Offensive Lines in the NFL, but you can also argue that he is the most valuable Tackle in the NFL as well.
Aaron Rodgers may be one of the coolest athletes I have ever seen under pressure, but calling the loss of your top protector "unwelcomed" news may be a substantial understatement. Not only when you consider that you need to win to likely clinch a first-round bye, but you are aiming to go on a deep run in the playoffs afterward.
David Bakhtiari & Aaron Rodgers Likely Celebrating A Touchdown Together (Credit: FanSided)
Seeing a devastating injury to any player is unfortunate and wished upon no one. Still, it is difficult to not recognize the advantage this has towards the Bears and the Packers' significant disadvantage.
State Of The Bears
Here we are, folks; one month ago, we thought our team was ready to discuss tearing it all up and rebuilding. Now, we are a win or an Arizona Cardinals loss away from making the playoffs.
The offense has killed it lately, and the defense has been shaky but (as we know) fully capable of performing better. It has been a sight we have not seen in a span like this, nor we ever expected such an occurrence this time around. However, the one significant, glaring criticism of the team, from yours truly and many others, is that they have not been able to take on substantial opposition during their recent streak of success.
Well, Bears fans, with hope and playoff aspirations filled inside of us, we now get a chance to face that significant opposition, and who else will be in our way but our biggest and most hated rival?
The Mightiest Obstacle To Overcome
Luck has been on the Bears' side with light competition, but now we get to face one of the big boys of the league, something they have not met with their new-found team. Mitch Trubisky has shown legit signs of revitalization but will now face the #6 pass defense in the league. David Montgomery has been on an absolute tear but will now face a Packers run defense that was able to mostly contain the best Running Back in the league in Derrick Henry. Allen Robinson has been a true top Wide Receiver, per usual, but will square off against the league's top Cornerback Jaire Alexander. Finally, the Bears defense has been on and off recently, but will now face Aaron Rodgers and the #3 offense in the league.
While credit must be given to the Bears for their recent success, regardless of their competition, it is fair to wonder how they could fare against the league's elite. As we all know, to be considered one of the best, you must beat the best, simple as that.
Regardless of whether they win or lose, I feel that the Bears will be under the microscope of whether they are legit or not, as fluke wins and upsets exist. However, their credibility will take a gigantic leap forward if they can overcome the intimidating opposition that is the Packers. Again, we must preach the importance of continuing to feed your top weapons in Robinson and Montgomery, but it will obviously be much more difficult this time around.
Praying For The Defense To Step Up
While the Bears' offense has all the momentum in the world, and the Packers' defense has been prone to allowing big-point games against opponents, I am mostly looking for the defense to slow down the Packers' offense.
Is it a more significant task? No question, but I say this because we have seen the defense perform at a high level; we know what they are capable of. Even if the Bears' offense dials up another high scoring game, the Packers offense could easily out-duel them and do just enough to top the Bears' efforts.
Unfortunately, on our end, Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Buster Skrine will both be out this week. Hence, players such as Packers Wide Receivers Allen Lazard and Marques Valdez-Scantling are in a position to step up big. But the Bears are also in a position to exploit the loss of David Bakhtiari. The man who would have lined across him was Outside Linebacker Robert Quinn, but now he will have an easier fight and take on a backup. The question is, will it be enough to make a difference? Quinn has been a massive disappointment given his career resume and contract received from the Bears. But if there is ever a time to help his narrative with his new team, it is this Sunday. Whether it be turnovers, pressure, quick stops, the Bears will need all of the above now more than ever.
Robert Quinn Strip-Sacking Daniel Jones In Week 2's Matchup v.s. The Giants
(Credit: Bears Goggles On)
The Present And Future Is At Stake
On every level of the team and organization, jobs are on the line. No one on this team should be considered safe at the moment. We are only a month removed from Halas Hall seemingly on fire from the team's six-game losing streak. The recent win-streak has been a nice distraction and has kept our season (somehow) alive, but no one should forget where we were, especially after a 5-1 start.
The Bears falling grace is that even if they lose to the Packers, they will still make the playoffs IF the Cardinals lose against the Los Angeles Rams. But, because they play at the same the Bears do, we will not know our fate until the games end within the same time. Either way, why try to rely on that? It will be an exciting yet scary situation this week with so much on the line.
My Preseason Prediction For This Game: Packers Win
My Pick Now: Packers Win
Final Score: Packers 26 - Bears 24
Ladies and gentlemen, we all know how this will likely end, do we not? I am excited for what is ahead, but I know damn well that it will all but likely end in some form of heartbreak.
We Should All Know How This One Will End (Credit: Me)
The script is all too familiar: the Bears find hope and are now down to the season's finale with aspirations of getting in the playoffs. In our way are the monstrous Green Bay Packers, as we must slay the dragon to guarantee us a spot in. I am far too scarred from previous occurrences to even try to convince myself that we can win this.
Not only that, but I believe we are facing an opponent like Green Bay at the worst time possible. Again, we have not seen this new-found Chicago Bears face any legit competition; those are just facts you cannot ignore. Without any evidence of the team being able to conquer such a team, I am also hesitant to believe we can legitimately win this ball game.
I will quickly admit that I am usually hesitant to pick the Bears in games like these. I typically imagine and mentally prepare for the worst outcome, so I would be pleasantly surprised if a positive result occurs. That is the way I usually approach life; is it healthy? Probably not, but I preach the notion that I try to be as realistic as possible with my thoughts towards this team. With that being said, nothing can genuinely convince me that the Bears will win this week.
The Bears have been playing better lately and can easily prove me wrong, and I pray that I am wrong with my prediction. But my gut feels some sort of heartbreak is on the horizon for us yet again. Once we finally find some light at the end of the tunnel, we typically tend to crumble, it is only our luck
This is our last chance, as no one knows what the organization's future has in store. All we have guaranteed is Sunday's game against the Packers; it is up to them (and possibly the Cardinals losing) to ensure us an additional week and push us into the playoffs. Buckle up and get ready for the ride, folks; it should be a wild one.
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Thank You and Bear Down!